Compartmented pouch

ABSTRACT

A compartmented flexible pouch is provided for filling with at least two liquid materials which are to be stored in isolation from each other. The pouch is made of a thin liquid-impervious flexible film and has front and rear panels joined to each other about all edges except one to leave an opening. Extending from the opening toward the opposite edge there is a linear permanent seal between the inner faces of the two panels extending a first portion of the distance and a linear clamp seal extending the remainder of the distance. The clamp may be removed just prior to use of the composition to permit the two components to blend within the pouch.

United States Patent n91 Greenwood May 7, 1974 COMPARTMENTED POUCH Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr.

[76] Inventor: David L. Greenwood, 3118 Sandy 1.3., Glenview, [22] Filed: 1972 A compartmented flexible pouch is provided for filling [21] App]. No.: 225,754 with at least two liquid materials which are to be stored in isolation from each other. The pouch is 1 made of ,a thin liquid-impervious flexible film and has [52] "gm/21932956 front and rear panels joined to each other about all [51] 65d 31/121 23 6 edges except one to leave an opening. Extending from [58] new 0 earch 206/47 the opening toward the opposite edge there is a linear 3 37 R permanent seal between the inner faces of the two panels extending a first portion of the distance and a [56] References cued linear clamp seal extending the remainder of the dis- UNITED STATES PATENTS tance. The clamp may be removed just prior to use of 3,542,032 11/1970 Spencer, Jr. 229/56 the composition to permit the two components to 3,257,072 6/1966 Reynolds 206/47 A blend within the pouch, 3,639,952 2/1972 Thompson et al. 206/47 A 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 COMPARTMENTED POUCH,

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a compartmented flexible pouchfor filling with at least two liquid materials which are to be stored in isolation from each other and admixed just prior to use. 1

There are compositions used for various purposes which must be stored and sold in the form of separate liquid components to be mixed just before use because the entire composition does not remain in a useful state for an extended period after admixture. For example, some thermosetting resins, such as epoxy resins, must be stored separately from their curing agents and not admixed until just-before use because after admixture the resin hardens to an unusable state after a short period.

Heretofore, it has been considered desirable to produce an inexpensive, multi-compartmented package for separately containing a plurality of liquid components which could be readily converted into a single compartment pouch within which the components could be mixed'together without exposure to the air or to the hands of the usenI-Iaving the separate liquid components in the separate compartments of a single package is desirable since it facilitates selling the total composition asa unit, while at the same time keeping the components isolated from each other to avoid premature mixing. Moreover, having the components in separate compartments of a single pouch permits the pouch to serve as a mixing container when its compartmentation is destroyed, assuring admixture of the materials in the proper proportions and without having contact with air and with the users hands during admixture. One form of multi-compartmented package is made of a large, flat bag of flexible film material, divided into two compartments by means of a clamp-type divider, or a rupturable heat seal, so that one of the essential components may be stored in one compartment and the other essential component stored in the other compartment. v

When a clamp-type divider is used to provide separate compartmentsin any of the pouches of the prior art, it is arranged to avoid the area of the pouch opening and thereby avoid interference with the sealing of the pouch. It is therefore arranged to divide the pouch into two compartments with openings at opposite ends. Such an arrangement prevents the simultaneous filling of both comaprtments and prevents final closure of the pouch by a single heat seal.

v This problem is eliminated when compartmentation is obtained by a rupturable heat seal which may be arranged to divide a single pouch opening into two filling mouths. However, the rupturable heat seal requires that the package be struck by a blow to rupture the seal; and this may cause a rupture of a portion of the heat seal around the perimeter of the bag, allowing the contents to leak out. Thus, the nature of the rupturable heat seal dividing the package and of the peripheral heat seals forming the package must be controlled precisely; and any departure from any such precise control results in a high proportion of failures in the pouches.

The pouch of this invention is made of a thin, liquidimpervious, flexible film and has front and rear panels joined to each other about all edges, except one, to

pouch opposite the opening.

The arrangement divides the pouch into two compartments and divides the opening into two separate mouths. Each compartment may then be filled with its own liquid through its own mouth, both mouths facing upward during the filling operation. The pouch is then sealed by a single sealing operation across the open edge.

When the pouch is ready for use, the clamp is seaparated, opening a-space between the panels along the line where they had been pinches together and permitting free intermixture between the two liquids. The intermixture of the two liquids may be aided by applying pressure with the hands to different portions of the exterior of the pouch to force liquid flow within the pouch. The thoroughly mixed liquid is then made available by cutting off a corner of the pouch and permitting the liquid flow out of the cut corner, using pressure on the exterior of the pouch in the case of viscous liquids.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred embodiment of the invention is best understood by reference to the drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows the open, empty pouch prior to the ap plication of the clamp thereto;

FIG. 2 shows the sealed, compartmented pouch with the clamp in position and with liquid in each compartment.

FIG. 3 shows the pouch with the clamp removed to permit the liquids in each compartment to flow together and shows, in phantom, the cutting off of a corner of the pouch for the withdrawl of the mixed liquid composition;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross section in the region of the clamp, with only the interior portion of the clamp in place, positioned against the front and rear panels which are in contact with each other;

FIG. 5 is'an enlarged cross section similar to FIG. 4,

but showing both the interior and exterior of the clampin place; and

FIG. 6 is an enlargedcross section similar to FIG. 5, but showing breakaway portions of both compartments of the pouch after filling with separate liquid materials.

The film thickness shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 is exaggerated for clarity.

As may be seen from the Figures, pouch 11 comprises front panel 12 and rear panel 13, each made of a thin, liquid-impervious, flexible film, such as a polyethylene film. In the embodiment illustrated in the Figures, panels 12 and 13 are made from a single sheet of flexible film folded at edge 14. The panels are sealed to each other along side edges 16 and 17 leaving an opening at the edge of the pouch opposite the folded edge 14. The inner surfaces of panels 12 and 13 are sealed to each other at seal 18 which runs in a direction perpendicular to the opening and extends from the opening to a terminal point 19 which is about one-quarter of the distance toward the opposite edge of the pouch.

Clamp 21 is arranged to provide a temporary seal of the inner surfaces of panels 12 and 13 to each other along a line extending from terminal point 19 to edge 14, completing the compartmentation of the pouch. Clamp 21 comprises C-shaped outer retention member 22 and rod 23 which fits within the hollow of the C- shaped outer retention member. When clamp 21 is assembled with respect to the pouch, outer member 22 is positioned on the outside of rear panel 13; and rod 23 is positioned on the outside of panel 12 so that the panels arepinched together along the line extending from terminal point 19 to edge 14. Rod 23 has a diameter substantially equal to the inner distance of outer retention member 22 so that a double film thickness of panels 12 and 13 is tightly compressed to form an effective seal. Outer retention member 22 is made of a resilient material so that rod 23 may be forced into position therein by placing it over the entire length of the opening of retention member 22 and then pressing it into place. 1

Both the outer section and the rod of clamp 21 are long enough to reach from terminal point 19 to edge 14. Preferably, rod 23 is somewhat longer than outer retention member 22 to provide projection 24 for gripping when the clamp elements are to be separated and removed.

When clamp 21 is in position, the pouch opening opposite edge 14 is divided into two separate mouths 26 and 27, each facing upward when the pouch is held in upright position with edge 14 at the bottom. In this position, the respective compartments served by mouths 26 and 27 may be filled simultaneously from separate sources of two different liquid materials, or may be filled successively from such sources. In any such case, both compartments may be filled prior to sealing and without changing the position of the pouch. After both sections of the pouch are filled, both mouths are simultaneously sealed by a single seal 28 across the top of the pouch. In this state, as shown in FIG. 2, the pouch is in condition for packaging, sale to the consumer, and retention by the consumer until ready for use.

' When the consumer wishes to use the contents of the pouch, he grips end 24 of rod 23 in one hand and grips outer retention member 22 in the other, and separates them to removethe clamp and open the separate compartments to each other, as shown in FIG. 3. The pouch is then pressed or kneaded to force all portions of the separate liquid compartments to blend with each other while out of contact with the users hands. The pouch may then be opened by cutting off and removing corner 29 thereof.

The nature of the thin, liquid-impervious flexible film to be used in the pouch of this invention depends upon the nature of the liquid materials to be stored and the conditions under which the liquids will be stored, mixed and used. For many liquid materials polyethylene film is suitable. Other suitable films include polypropylene, polystyrene, and the copolymer of vinyl and vinylidene chlorides. Generally, thermoplastic films are used; and seals 16, 17, 18 and 28 are heat seals. However, thermoplastic films-are not essential and seals 16, .17, 18 and 28 may be adhesive seals.

The nature of clamp 21 may also vary. The clamp described in connection with the Figures, consisting of a rod and a C-shaped retention member is preferred because of its simplicity and ease of handling. However, other types of clamps suitable for applying pressure along a predetermined line may also be used.

It will also be appreciated that the pouch need not be made from a double sized flexible film folded at edge 14, as shown in the Figures. The pouch may be made from two single size sheets sealed at their edges and thereby providing a seal rather than a fold at edge 14. In another suitable embodiment, the pouch may be made from a segment of a film sleeve, in which case edges 16 and 17 would be folded edges, while edge 14 would be a sealed edge.

While the invention has been described with respect to a pouch which is essentially rectangular in shape, it is to be understood that it is applicable to pouches of other shapes, such as triangular or trapezoidal pouches, or pouches having curved edges. In addition, the location of seal 18 and clamp 21 need not be along a midline, as shown in the Figures, but may be closer to one side edge or the other to provide compartments of different sizes if the nature of the final composition requires different amounts of each compartment. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

l. A compartmented, flexible pouch, suitable for filling with at least two liquid materials which are to be I toward a closed edge of said panels opposite said opening, dividing said opening into two mouths and terminating at a point spaced from said closed opposite edge and closer to said opening than to said closed opposite edge, a clamp extending from the terminal point of said seal to said closed opposite edge, said clamp being arranged to pinch between its elements both panels of said pouch along a line extending from said terminal point to said closed opposite edge, whereby separate compartments are formed in said pouch.

2. The compartmented flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein said clamp comprises an elongated C-shaped resilient retention member and a rod dimensioned to fit closely within the hollow of said C-shaped retention member.

3. The compartmented flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein said liquid-impervious flexible film is a thermoplastic film.

4. The compartmented flexible pouch of claim 3 wherein said closed edge opposite said opening is a folded edge and wherein said seal is a heat seal.

5. The compartmented flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein said pouch is of generally rectangular configuration.

6. A compartmented, flexible pouch, suitable for filling with at least two liquid materials which are to be stored in isolation from each other, comprising a generally rectangular front pouch panel and a generally rectangular rear pouch panel, each made of a thin, liquidimpervious, flexible, thermoplastic film material, said panels facing each other and joined to each other about all edges but one to provide a pouch with an opening, a heat seal between the inner surfaces of said. facing panels along a line normal to saidopening, extending from said opening toward the edge of said panels opposite said opening, dividing said opening into two mouths and tenninating at a point spaced about onequarter of the distance to said opposite edge, a clamp extending from the terminal point of said seal to said opposite edge, said clamp comprising an elongated C- shaped retention member and a rod dimensioned to fit closely within the hollow of said C-shaped retention member, said rod and retention member being arranged to pinch between them both panels of said pouch along a line extending from said terminal point to said opposite edge whereby separate compartments are formed in said pouch.

7. A compartmented, flexible package, containing at least two liquid materials stored in isolation from each other, comprising a front pouch panel and a rear pouch panel, each made of a thin, liquid-impervious, flexible film, said panels facing each other and joined to each other about all edges, a seal between the inner surfaces of said facing panels along a line normal to one edge, extending from said edge toward an opposite edge and terminating at a point spaced from said opposite edge and closer to said opening than to said closed opposite edge, a clamp extending from the terminal point of said seal to said opposite edge, said clamp being arranged to pinch between its elements both panels of said pouch along a line extending from said terminal point to said opposite edge, one of said liquid materials being retained'in said pouch on one side of said seal and clamp and another of said liquid materials being retained on the other side of said seal and clamp P STATESIPATENT-OFFVICEV 69 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent NC- 3,809 ,7224. I I Dated 7,. 4 ln vento flg David L. Greenwood V It is certified that error appears in the above-ldentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 50, correct spelling of compartments; Column 2, line l8, h"pinches" should be pi nched--;

Column 3, line 15, :"distance" should be --diamete'r-; Column 3,"lin'e 3 6, "ln any such case" should be -In any case";

Column 3, line 50, Y'compartments? "should be -.-componentS- Column 4, line '22 "compartment" should be -compon'ent-Q Signed and sealed this 1st dey" of October 1974.

(SEAL) Attest: I v I McCOY M. GIBSON JR. c; MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner of Patent 

1. A compartmented, flexible pouch, suitable for filling with at least two liquid materials which are to be stored in isolation from each other, comprising a front pouch panel and a rear pouch panel, each made of a thin, liquid-impervious, flexible film, said panels facing each other and joined to each other about all edges but one to provide a pouch with an opening a seal between the inner surfaces of said facing panels along a line normal to said opening, extending from said opening toward a closed edge of said panels opposite said opening, dividing said opening into two mouths and terminating at a point spaced from said closed opposite edge and closer to said opening than to said closed opposite edge, a clamp extending from the terminal point of said seal to said closed opposite edge, said clamp being arranged to pinch between its elements both panels of said pouch along a line extending from said terminal point to said closed opposite edge, whereby separate compartments are formed in said pouch.
 2. The compartmented flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein said clamp comprises an elongated C-shaped resilient retention member and a rod dimensioned to fit closely within the hollow of said C-shaped retention member.
 3. The compartmented flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein said liquid-impervious flexible film is a thermoplastic film.
 4. The compartmented flexible pouch of claim 3 wherein said closed edge opposite said opening is a folded edge and wherein said seal is a heat seal.
 5. The compartmented flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein said pouch is of generally rectangular configuration.
 6. A compartmented, flexible pouch, suitable for filling with at least two liquid materials which are to be stored in isolation from each other, comprising a generally rectangular front pouch panel and a generally rectangular rear pouch panel, each made of a thin, liquid-impervious, flexible, thermoplastic film material, said panels facing each other and joined to each other about all edges but one to provide a pouch with an opening, a heat seal between the inner surfaces of said facing panels along a line normal to said opening, extending from said opening toward the edge of said panels opposite said opening, dividing said opening into two mouths and terminating at a point spaced about one-quarter of the distance to said opposite edge, a clamp extending from the terminal point of said seal to said opposite edge, said clamp comprising an elongated C-shaped retention member and a rod dimensioned to fit closely within the hollow of said C-shaped retention member, said rod and retention member being arranged to pinch between them both panels of said pouch along a line extending from said terminal point to said opposite edge whereby separate compartments are formed in said pouch.
 7. A compartmented, flexible package, containing at least two liquid materials stored in isolation from each other, comprising a front pouch panel and a rear pouch panel, each made of a thin, liquid-impervious, flexible film, said panels facing each other and joined to each other about all edges, a seal between the inner surfaces of said facing panels along a line normal to one edge, extending from said edge toward an opposite edge and terminating at a point spaced from said opposite edge and closer to said opening than to said closed opposite edge, a clamp extending from the terminal point of said seal to said opposite edge, said clamp being arranged to pinch between its elements both panels of said pouch along a line extending from said terminal point to said opposite edge, one of said liquid materials being retained in said pouch on one side of said seal and clamp and another of said liquid materials being retained on the other side of said seal and clamp. 